
Class _x1*D_Sj51L3- 

COPXRIGRT DEPOSrr. 



POEMS 

MARGARET E. GRAHAM 



Published in loving memory by 

the faculty and students of 

OAKSMERE 

Mrs. Merrill's School for Girls, 

Mamaroneck, New York 



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Copyright 1920 

by 

Mrs, Fenton P. Foster 



©CLA571801 



Printed and Bound 
by the 
Essex Press, Newark, N. J. 



JUL '^-^^ >-'■''' 



Preface 



There are some people in the 
world who seem to have 
singing souls, — souls that 
are always finding miracles 
wherever they may go, who 
cannot help singing with rev- 
erent wonder for the very 
joy of living. Margaret was 
always like that. She seemed 
to cast a quiet radiance about 
her,— and if you had never 
believed in fairies before, 
you did after you knew her. 

Her philosophy of life was 
truly beautiful,— a smile for 
every sorrow, and a love of 
all living things. Her deli- 
cate fairy poetry has a depth 
unreached by many through- 
out their lives. I shall never 



think of Margaret as long as 
I live without a smile, as she 
would have wished, — and a 
greater determination to 
make my soul more worth 
while, — because of having 
known her. 



I love to think of you and smile, 

Dear singing soul, — 
For in the distant afterwhile 

We'll have to learn of laughter, too; 
The laughter that can laugh alway, 
Yes, even when the sorrow's new, 
And souls like yours all lead the way 
Up to that goal! 

Margaret's friend and teacher, 
MARION C. GILBERT. 

Oaksmere, 
Mamaroneck, New York. 



When all the world seems dark and grey, 

And skies are not so blue, 
I long to cross the weary miles 

Oh mother, dear, to you. 



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> 



Fairer than flowers of Paradise, 
Sweeter than morning dew, 

Dearer than all of the world to me 
Sister of mine, are you. 



Off to the West where the sun is sinking, 
Out in the West where the skies are clear, 

There where the flowers are always brighter, 
Brighter than any that you have here. 

Out where the sun shines on fields of poppies 
Seeming a part of the sunset's glow. 

There, in my dreams I am ever roaming, 
There in the sunlight, where soft winds 
blow. 



If flowers were mine to give away, 
Whom should I give them to? 

I'd give them to the sad of heart 
And those whom joy once knew. 



Far out upon that ocean blue, 
(Upon the sea of memory), 

A ship is sailing home to you. 
With dreams 'tis loaded heavily. 

Each dream is either sad or gay 
As that is part of life, you know, 

We must not grieve for one lost day 
For by reverses we may grow. 



Where the water lilies grow 
Water-fairies come and go, 
Singing in sweet voices, low, 
All the day. 

There the dragon flies are seen, 
Where the bright sun casts a screen 
Over all, with glorious sheen, — 
Fairies play. 



Just as the evening shadows fall, 

The Sand Man comes laden with bags of 
blue. 
He^s bringing sleep to tired eyes 
And fairy dreams that were made just for 
you. 



Oh bubbling, laughing, little brook 

Where will you lead me to? 
Away from here, beyond the woods 

Out to the sea so blue. 

Out to the sea where white ships sail. 
Where white gulls sail on high. 

And where, beneath the calm blue waves 
Some long-lost treasures lie. 



The fairies ride on sunbeams 
Until the close of day, 

And then on pink rose petals 
They dance the night away. 



Hear the fairy voices calling 
When the Summer dew is falling 

And the sun is sinking slowly in the west, 
That's the time when they are nearest 
And you hear their voices clearest 

For they always speak to those they love 
the best. 

Oftentimes when you are weary, 

And the world seems dark and dreary, 

Everything and everybody seem untrue 
If you call, (for they are near you). 
They will always come and cheer you, 

And for you the world will never more 
seem blue. 



When the first faint flush of dawn appears 
And the last stars have gone to rest, 

If you watch you'll see a fairy creep 
To his sweet little rose-bud nest. 



Do you know what makes the flowers pink, 

Or blue or red or white ? 
The fairies take all the rainbow hues 

And work throughout the night. 

Then the great gold sun flames in the sky, 

He sees the flowers there, 
He wonders how even fairies could 

Make anything so fair. 



Hear the clear sleighbells a-ringing, 
Hear the little hoofbeats falling, 
Santa Claus to-night is coming, 
Everyone to bed ! 

If he finds you up and watching, 
He'll put nothing in your stocking, 
Hurry, for I hear him coming. 
Everyone to bed ! 



Fairy harps are singing in the breeze. 

Can't you hear them through the silent 
night? 
They are ever ringing in your ear 

Although they may be hidden from sight. 

Fairy voices, too, are soft and sweet, 
Borne to you across the still night air. 

If you will only listen, you will hear 

The song that tells you all the world is fair. 



As the sun sinks o'er the western hills, 
Painting heaven in rainbow hue, 

High among pink clouds the fairies sail 
Bringing golden dreams to you. 



The coming dawn first tints the eastern hill 
With colors exquisite and perfumes rare, 
Pink clouds are hanging in the still, blue 
air, 
And mingle with the sea-fogs floating still. 
It all is peaceful, as the dawn, so fair. 
Bursts full-blown on the world so quiet 
there, 
Which, sleeping peacefully and silent, 'till 
The sound of birdlings' singing fills the air. 
As dawn has broken all the chains of night 
So we, with the new day begin again 

Our round of work which leads, at length, 

to light. 

Some sad souls, who had known only life's 

pain 

Have now to find that life is just as bright. 

As noon-day sun, then that will be their gain. 



The rising sun paints a path of gold, 

Across the water blue, 
It brings a message of hope and love, 

With dawning day, to you. 



You can smile at all your troubles, 
(For they're really only bubbles), 
If you realize every person has some trou- 
ble of her own ; 
You must always try and cheer her . 

Always smile when you are near her, 

And soon you'll find that all your petty 
worries too, have flown. 



The fairies are busy the whole day long, 
Weaving dreams for each baby fair, 

They weave them of roses and violets blue 
Daffodils, and some flowers rare. 



I had a dream. It seemed to me 

I felt the wind so strong and free 

Upon my face, and saw the sun 

Sink through the Gate when day was done. 

I stood, at home, upon a hill — 
(I loved it then and ever will) — 
And watched the radiant sun go down 
All flaming, just behind the town. 

The dream is o'er, I wake again, 
Not to sunlight, but to rain, 
Fm waiting for the day to come 
When I'll be going to my home. 



All my life was dark and sad, 

I felt that nothing was worth while, 

Till one day the clouds rolled back, — 
That was the day I saw you smile. 



The twinkling lights of towns across the 
water 
Remind me of small fairy lamps aglow, 
Because they mark the way for weary stran- 
gers, 
As fairies show lost children where to go. 



Are you looking for a blue bird, 
Looking for happiness in vain ? 

Don't despair for you will find it, 
'Twill come like sunshine after rain. 

We must not expect clear sailing, 
Always on life's wide blue sea. 

If we never had a sorrow 
We would miss the joy to be. 



Sometimes the sun sinks through the Gate, 
A ball of fire in clouds of grey. 

Neglected on the waves, a path 

Of blood-red sunlight marks the dying day. 



When outside the storm is raging 

And the sky is black with rain, 
Have no fear for the small fairies 

They are far from cold and pain, 
For they live beneath the frozen 

Ground in huts both small and warm. 
They are singing when it's stormy, 

For they know they're safe from harm. 



We must not be dreaming the whole day long 
Of things that cannot come true. 

For life was not made just for empty dreams 
We all have some work to do. 



You may think that your heart is hwroken 

When you have loved and lost, 
You may think life is not worth living 

And nothing worth the cost. 

But you'll find that the days grow brighter, 

And laughter comes again, 
Though the days may be dark and stormy, 

The sun shines after rain. 



When the heaven's a beautiful mid-night 
blue, 

And the stars are shining so bright, 
Then the fairies go sailing across the sky 

In their rose-petal boats, pink and white. 



No matter how troublesome people may 
seem, 
Or how tired and cross you may be, 
No matter if all the sunshine is gone, — 
You can smile, just you try it and see. 
"Keep a stiff upper lip," that's a saying 
that's true, 
For sometimes it's hard as can be 
To be happy and glad, when you'd much 
rather cry. 
Sometime, won't you just try it and see? 



Can't you hear the fairies calling, 
Their sweet voices ringing clear? 

But, my dear, you'll never find them, 
Even though they seem so near. 



So, silently, across the desert sands 
A caravan now winds its lonely way. 

And only now and then the voice is heard 
Of camel-boy, who sings his mournful lay. 

And now the sun sinks slowly out of sight, 
The heavens are deeply colored in the west. 

And when the first small stars are peeping 
out. 
The tired travelers at last may rest. 

All through the long and silent desert night 

The Oriental moon will guard them well. 

Tonight, at least, they will have peace and 

rest. 

For what comes on the morrow, who can 

tell? 



Why not smile at all your troubles, 
For they're really only bubbles, 
Shining, sparkling in the sun, 
Tear-drop covered, every one. 



While the sun is shining brightly 
And the wind is blowing free, 

Fairy feet are tripping lightly 
Over mountain, brook, and lea. 

They are dancing towards the sunset 
Dancing on with hearts so gay 

For with laughter and with singing, 
They will play the day away. 



Hush, baby dear, the great moon rises 

Over the eastern hill. 
Sleep little one, the white stars guard you 

Through the long night so still. 



Driven by fairies o'er the hillside, 

Into valley, over plain, 
Comes a host of butterflies 

Hidden by mists now seen again. 

On they come, their bright wings sparkling, 
In the sunlight bright and clear ; 

They dispel all gloom and sorrow, 
Changing all the world so drear. 



Winging onward swift and free 

Birds of air fly happily, 

Sailing high up in the air 

Far from earth and free from care. 



When you see the grass first greening, 

And you hear the first birds call; 
When the sky is blue above you, 

And the sun shines over all. 
Then you know that Spring is with us, 

Say good-bye to clouds and rain. 
Spring has come and we are happy. 

We can smile and laugh again. 



When you seem to be surrounded by the dark, 
When you hear no answer to your call, 

You can bring yourself up to the light again, 
If you will just remember to love all. 



Oh to be out on the ocean blue 

Sailing straight through the sunset's glow, 
Drifting across to my land of Dreams 

Where all the soft summer breezes blow. 



Oaksmere, 

Mamaroneck, 

New York, 

November 20, 1919 

My dear Mrs. Merrill,— 

Oh indeed, Fve had an awful time 
In finding any time to write to you, 

For we are kept so busy every day 
That I am most distracted, it is true. 

For every morn at seven we arise. 

Then freeze, out on the porch, at morning 
drill, 

And, after breakfast, then we needs must go 
To get our mail, and next we have chapel. 

Pursuing classes, until half -past one, 

Makes luncheon seem indeed, far from a 
bore. 

And then, at two-forty, we have to have 
Athletics for at least an hour, not more. 

Then, oftentimes, we have, at four-ten 
A cooking-class, or, haply, if we don't. 

We go to study-hall till seven. Then 
We have dinner. Often after that 



We have a meeting or perchance, a play. 

Of course I like them, for they're inter- 
esting 
And help to while away the empty day ! 

I really think Fve written quite enough 

Of nonsense. Please don't say that foolish 
rhymes 

Are all that I am ever thinking of. 
For I can be quite serious at times! 

And, now, I fear me it is time to go. 

Fair Lady, I must bid you fond adieu 

And Friday afternoon I trust we'll meet 
So that the Senior Class may talk to you! 

Margaret E. Graham 



We must not mourn for those who leave this 
earth ; 

Perhaps they're happier far than we; 
But oh the parting's hard, and we must live 

With only a sweet memory. 



